Training Dog to Stay off Couch

[danakscully64]

My dog recently picked up a new habit: Jumping on the couch! I've had her for more than 3 years and she's mostly been an outside dog until a month ago when I moved into an apartment. This morning when I woke up, she wasn't on her bed and when I looked up, she was laying on the couch. I immediately scolded her and put her back on her own bed. I thought it was a 1 time thing because she hasn't done it before. Later on in the day I went into the bedroom and when I came out, she was back on the couch. We've never allowed her on the couch before (even at my Mom's house), but she used to jump on the outside furniture (my Mom hated that). The 2nd time I caught her, I sprayed her with the water bottle and told her No very sternly. What's weird is both times the coffee table was pushed up to the couch (it rarely is), so it was semi-blocked both times. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[Treehugger267]

No suggestions here, I make my pooch sit on the couch w/ me even if he doesn't want too. There's no better foot warmer that a big fuzzy dog....lol

Idea: Maybe you could flip the couch cushions up for a while when you think he might be wanting to nap up there. After awhile, he may forget.

[SlobberChops]

Well they way I did it with Bruno was to barricade it off with something when I wasn't around, so he couldn't jump on or get to it. I had a play pen so I just used that really to cage the couch (sounds weird, but it worked), but if you don't have one then just find something else that will do the job.
If he knows the word "off" use that when you don't want him on somewhere. I use it on Bruno when he's taking up my bed to much, he sits there on the side on the bed and broods till I say "up".
I hope that helps.

Though I do have to say I love my Bruno on the couch with me now. He just wasn't allowed when I was living with my family.

[pajamajes]

i try to do mostly positive reinforcement with my dogs. i think i would try this:

when you walk into the room and see the dog on the couch, sit on the floor (or on her bed, even better). hopefully, she'll get down and come over to you. and then you can praise her and love on her and all that. then she'll associate the floor or her bed with a good petting. :]

now...has she ever jumped onto the couch when you're sitting on it?

if you decide to try my crazy scheme, let me know how it turns out. i'm kinda sorta an aspiring dog trainer.

(p.s. - i'm a dog on the couch person too. :P)

[animallover7249]

I dont know, I call dogs onto the furniture with me.

Have you tried positive reinforcement when she lays on her doggy bed?

[Marie]

Start sitting on her doggy bed. Maybe she'll see you sitting there and decide it's the best spot in the house.

[Amy SF]

I dont know, I call dogs onto the furniture with me.

Have you tried positive reinforcement when she lays on her doggy bed?

That seems like a good idea (Positive reinforcement). Praise her and give her treats every time she uses her bed instead of the couch.

[animallover7249]

Start sitting on her doggy bed. Maybe she'll see you sitting there and decide it's the best spot in the house.

[danakscully64]

She's not allowed on the couch because her claws have ruined outdoor cushions and our couches are brand new. We did an experiment and left for Sonic... we came home 20 minutes later and she was back on the couch. Someone in my house (not naming names) freaked out and punished her more severely than I recommend.

I think I'll try flipping the cushions up to see what she does, prop them up against the back.

She only jumps up when we're not around. I think she knows better.


About dogs: Do you ever stop your dog from licking their paws/the ground or scratching themselves?

[danakscully64]

Start sitting on her doggy bed. Maybe she'll see you sitting there and decide it's the best spot in the house.

I do sit on her doggy bed! When she's there, I'm loving on her and praising her.

Have you tried positive reinforcement when she lays on her doggy bed?

That seems like a good idea (Positive reinforcement). Praise her and give her treats every time she uses her bed instead of the couch.

She uses her bed 99% of the time, the couch this started today. As I'm typing this, she's standing right next to her bed. This is a hard thing to work with since it's new and she only does it when we're away.